Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack

Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack

Definition

The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack is an unconventional White opening that begins with the fianchetto move 1. b3 (or, less often, 1. Nf3 followed by 2. b3). Named after the hyper-modern pioneer Aron Nimzowitsch (who experimented with it in the 1920s) and the Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen (who made it popular in the 1960s–70s), the system seeks to:

• Develop the queen’s bishop to b2, exerting long-range pressure on the central dark squares e5 and d4.
• Delay immediate pawn occupation of the center in favor of piece play and flexibility.
• Invite opponents to over-extend their central pawn mass, which White later undermines with pawn breaks such as c4, e3–e4, or f2–f4.

Typical Move Order

The purest form is:

1. b3    

After which common continuations include:

• 1…e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 d5 4.Bb5, leading to Larsen’s favorite set-up with pressure on e5.
• 1…d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4, transposing to a hybrid between the English and Catalan.
• 1…c5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 d5, with play resembling a reversed Sicilian.

Because the opening is system-based rather than theory-heavy, many players mix the move order—e.g. 1.Nf3 followed by 2.b3—to sidestep highly analyzed mainstream openings.

Strategic Ideas

• High-class Dark-Square Pressure: The bishop on b2 eyes the e5–square (and sometimes g7); if …e5 has been played, tactics against that pawn often arise.
• Flexible Center: White may choose between a restrained center (pawns on e3 & d3) or a later break with c4 or e4, depending on Black’s set-up.
• Queenside Expansion: a2–a4, c2–c4, or even b3-b4 can gain space if Black delays counterplay.
• Transpositional Weapon: The opening can transpose to the English, Catalan, Réti, or even Queen’s Indian structures, making memorization difficult for the opponent.

Historical Significance

While Nimzowitsch experimented with 1.b3 in a handful of games (most famously defeating Tarrasch in 1926), the line fell into relative obscurity until Bent Larsen adopted it as a surprise weapon in top-level play during the 1960s.

• Larsen’s Revival: Larsen used 1.b3 to defeat world champions at least twice (e.g., against Petrosian, Santa Monica 1966) and to notch multiple Olympiad victories.
• Spassky’s 17-Move Brilliancy: Ironically, Larsen also suffered the most famous loss with his pet opening—Spassky vs. Larsen, USSR vs. Rest of the World, Belgrade 1970, where Black scored a crushing win in just 17 moves.
• Modern Adoption: Elite grandmasters such as Michael Adams, Baadur Jobava, and even Magnus Carlsen (e.g., Carlsen–Vachier-Lagrave, 2015) occasionally roll out 1.b3 as a practical surprise.

Illustrative Games

1. Larsen – Petrosian, Santa Monica 1966
   A model game where White patiently undermines Black’s center, eventually breaking through with a kingside attack.

   
   

2. Spassky – Larsen, Belgrade 1970 (The 17-move miniature)
   An instructive cautionary tale: over-optimistic queenside play leaves Black vulnerable to a devastating central break.

   
   

3. Carlsen – Vachier-Lagrave, GCT Rapid Paris 2015
   Demonstrates modern, flexible treatment; Carlsen built up a slow squeeze before converting a bishop-vs-knight endgame.

Typical Plans for Each Side

• White
  • Rapidly castle kingside (often after Nf3, e3, Be2).
  • Target e5 or d5 with Bb2, f4, or c4 breaks.
  • Use the a-file for rook lifts (Ra4–h4 ideas in attacking lines).
• Black
  • Occupy the center with …d5 and …e5 whenever possible.
  • Challenge the b2-bishop by timely …Ba3 or …Ba6 exchanges.
  • Exploit the slightly weakened light squares (a1–h8 diagonal) with pieces or pawn storms (…f5, …g5 in King’s Indian-style set-ups).

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• “Best by test?” Larsen jokingly called 1.b3 “best by test,” parodying Fischer’s quip about 1.e4. He scored an impressive +21 =20 -7 with it from 1964–1971.
• Engine Evaluation: Modern engines rate 1.b3 at roughly +0.20 to +0.25—slightly less than mainstream 1.e4 or 1.d4 but perfectly viable at all levels.
• Reversed Openings: After 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 d5 4.Bb5, play mirrors a Reverse Nimzo-Indian, showing the opening’s “mirror-world” character.
• Blindfold Magic: Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik once beat Veselin Topalov blindfold with 1.b3 at the Monaco Amber tournament (2004), highlighting its practical sting even without sight of the board!

Practical Tips

Because the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack is principle-driven rather than theory-heavy, club players can adopt it quickly. Remember:

• Do not allow the b2-bishop to become a tall pawn—reposition if blocked.
• Keep an eye on the e-pawn: after 1…e5, tactics against e5 abound.
• If Black plays an early …d5 and …c5, consider c4 breaks to undermine.

Conclusion

The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack offers an attractive mix of strategic flexibility, psychological surprise, and manageable theory. It has scored upset victories from club level to world-class events and remains a potent weapon for players who relish hyper-modern ideas and creative middlegame play.